A clean, attractive wooden deck enhances the ambiance of your home space, creating a warm and cozy space to spend quality time with your loved ones. However, harsh weather can dull its shine over time.
So, are you growing tired of staring at your dull, grimy, stained deck? But you don’t need to spend a lot to fix it. With a simple DIY trick to remove deck stains, you can make it look new again. Here’s how!
To make the best DIY deck stain remover, mix 1 cup of vinegar with a tablespoon of baking soda and stir well. Pour the mixture onto the stain and leave it for 15–20 minutes. Now, brush off the marks with a scrub brush until clean, and rinse the deck with clean water from a garden hose.
Well, knowing the recipe is not enough. It’s about the correct ratio and the proper application. Therefore, I will share everything you need to know about homemade deck stain removers. Below, I have mentioned a detailed elaboration on preventing stains on wooden decks using a few cost-effective and DIY solutions.
Preventing Stains On Decks With Easy DIY Stain Removers
It can be frustrating to see stains, footprints, or dirt marks every time you or your pets walk over the wooden deck of your house. This stain-appearing phenomenon, also called ghosting, can appear due to leftover debris, oil, grime, or other cleaning agent residues after mopping.
In fact, if you have been using floor cleaners containing wax or greasy ingredients to mop, the situation will worsen, thus making the stains more prominent.
However, the good news is that you can easily avoid these marks by using common household ingredients at home and following some cleaning habits regularly. So, here are three easy-to-follow DIY deck stain remover ideas:
1: Mop The Deck With Vinegar And Baking Soda Solution
Cleaning with vinegar at least twice a week is the best DIY cleaning solution to remove stubborn stains from wooden decks. Vinegar can solve multiple household stain problems, including greasy surfaces and oily stains on patios and wood flooring.
All you need to do is:
- Mix one cup of vinegar with a tablespoon of baking soda in a bucket of water (1 gallon) and stir well. Set this mixture aside.
- First, wipe off all the dirt and debris from your floor with a dry mop to make the stains more prominent.
- Now, mop the floor with warm water to remove the temporary stains and marks before using the actual ingredient.
- Pour the vinegar solution onto the stains and let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
- After that, scrub the stained surface to and fro with a soft-bristled scrubbing brush until the marks disappear and your deck is as good as new when dried.
- Once done, rinse your deck with clean water from your garden hose or pressure washer until spotless!
Pro tip: If there are too many stubborn marks on the deck, add more vinegar to your cleaning solution.
2: Clean The Deck With Dishwashing Liquid Solution
Another method to prevent your wood deck from getting debris marks and other greasy stains is cleaning it with a dishwashing solution once a week. A dishwashing fluid contains anti-grease properties, which makes removing footprint marks from your timber floors easy and quick.
To do this:
- Mix a spoonful of your regular dishwashing liquid in 5 liters of water (ratio 1:5) to make a dilute cleaning solution.
- Next, mop your stained deck with the mixture, using a dry mop afterward to wipe off the wet surface.
- The surface should now be neat, clean, and free from oily residues or grime.
Quick Tip: If you encounter significant moss or grass growth between your pavers or deck boards, prepare a solution of two parts water to one part salt (2:1). Spray this mixture on the unwanted plants and see the magic happening. I recommend using hot or boiling water to ensure the salt dissolves properly.
3: Use An Oxygen Bleach Solution For Tough Deck Stains
This DIY recipe is more suited for harsh cleaning and removing highly stubborn deck stains. It will give your deck or patio a good scrub once or twice a year.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Mix two cups of oxygen bleach (I recommend using Oxiclean) into two gallons of water. (2:2 ratio)
- Now add 1/4 of dishwashing liquid to the solution, and stir the mixture until it becomes cloudy.
- With the help of a scrubbing brush, spread the mixture on your deck and gently brush off the stains until removed.
- Rinse off with clean, warm water.
Valuable Tips To Clean Your Deck Like A Pro!
DIY patio cleaners and deck wash recipes can be cost-effective and efficient, but it’s crucial to consider certain factors when preparing DIY cleaning solutions.
- Always prepare your cleaning mix in an open area or a room with good ventilation.
- It is essential to read the warning labels on any bottled chemicals you plan to use, like oxygen bleach, ensuring they won’t react negatively with any other ingredients in your recipe. Not doing this could lead to a hazardous chemical reaction.
- Store all deck cleaners out of the reach of young children.
- While bleach is an effective cleaner for many surfaces, it’s not recommended for wood decks. Bleach can break down the wood fibers, weakening them and making them more susceptible to damage. If you are looking for a natural alternative to bleach, try using hydrogen peroxide instead.
- Always wear personal protective equipment like gloves and goggles when handling chemicals to prevent injuries such as burns.
- Dispose of any leftover cleaner properly once you’ve finished your cleaning task.
- Making a new batch of cleaning solution is best each time you clean your deck, rather than storing and reusing old cleaners.
The Bottom Line
In this article, I have explained in detail how to make easy DIY cleaning solutions to eliminate stains from your wooden deck and keep them shiny and lustrous.
Remember to follow a regular cleaning routine and mop the surface with common household ingredients and suitable cleaning agents free from bleach, as it can cause discoloration on the wood. Testing on a small patch is best before applying the solution to the whole deck.